For whatever reasons, IWD has a pretty low profile in the United States. It’s not an official public holiday, as it is in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Vietnam. We don’t celebrate by giving women flowers or gifts, as apparently is the custom in places like Poland and Italy.

Maybe that will change this year? Because I don’t know about you but I feel like we’re in the midst of some exceptionally strange days for women.

On the one hand we’re apparently so far ahead on certain economic and educational indicators that some have declared an end to both men and marriedwomen, although by “some” I mainly mean The Atlantic, which along with The New York Times has a tendency to smell seismic social shifts in even the slightest whiff of a cultural trend – call it human interest reporting on ’roids.

If work has provided women with a cure for some of the ills of gender inequality that would vindicate the logic that drove the Socialist Party of America in 1909 to first call for a National Woman’s Day – to honor women protesting the conditions of their work.

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And now enter that notorious female figure, the "slut," who was actually invited to testify before a Congressional committee. Well, at least according to Rush Limbaugh, who reliably makes headlines for insulting – and now apologizing (sort of) – to women.

Call it talking about or policing women, we are the conversation, for better or for worse. But we also have the power to change the topic. You can celebrate at this Thursday's International Women's Day Fair and Luncheon, which features a power-house line-up of female talent (full disclosure - I'm hosting the event). Or in keeping with the theme of this year's IWD check out some of the documentaries about awesome girls and women in The Independent Television Series' online film festival. Or get female issues in the mix at a community conversation on education, convened by WBEZ. Come on ladies, let's rock it!

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